Leaf fire gets out of control, house burns

Firefighters work Thursday afternoon to extinguish a house fire in the 500 block of Pebble Creek Drive in rural Mountain Home. The house caught fire after residents were burning leaves and the fire spread across the yard to the back deck and then to the home.(Photo11: Josh Dooley/The Baxter Bulletin)Buy Photo

A rural Mountain Home couple are safe thanks to a passing motorist who alerted them when their house caught on fire Thursday afternoon, according to Mountain Home Fire Chief Ken Williams.

A couple living in the 500 block of Pebble Creek Drive were burning leaves Thursday in the ditch line at the edge of their property. Unknown to the couple, the fire streaked across their lawn and went up their back deck.

From there, the fire moved up the back wall of the home and into the attic. Fire also moved into the kitchen through an open window and sliding glass door.

A passing motorist alerted the couple to the fire. The MHFD were notified at 2:49 p.m. and responded.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the home fully engulfed with fire shooting through the center section of the roof. Firefighters from Buford and Clarkridge responded to the call for help with tankers.

Firefighters spent a total of five hours at the scene according to Williams.

Over the past few days, several fires have been reported across Baxter County. Authorities remind citizens not to burn when it's dry and windy.

Read or Share this story: https://www.baxterbulletin.com/story/news/local/2018/03/16/leaf-fire-gets-out-control-house-burns/432846002/